How Solar Panels Work

Despite the increase of homeowners making the switch to solar energy, many people don’t know how solar panels actually work. Here’s a quick guide to how the sun’s rays can provide your home with electrical power and hot water.

Will Cloudy Days Affect Solar Energy Collected?

Many people may think solar panels will only work in constant bright sunlight rather than in our rainy British climate! However, because solar panels run on daylight rather than heat, they can still provide energy when the weather is grey or overcast. The rain can also help to clean the panels, so our weather is perfectly suited to solar energy.

From The Sun’s Rays To Your Home Appliances

The way that the panels work is by absorbing sunlight which then generates a direct electrical current (DC). This runs through an inverter which converts the energy into alternating current (AC) and it’s this energy which is used to power electrical appliances. If the solar panels are generating more energy than the property needs, the excess energy will be fed into the national grid for use by other people. If the panels aren’t generating enough energy to power the house, the energy gets ‘topped up’ by power from the national grid.

A Fantastic Investment

For all the excess energy your solar panels create, you’ll be paid through the government’s Feed in Tariff. This scheme was created in 2010 to encourage more homes to switch to solar power. Not only do solar panels provide a great way to get your energy from renewable sources, but they’re also a brilliant investment which will save you money year after year.

Going Solar? Check Your Roof First!

Going solar can not only reduce your heating and electricity bills but it can also reduce your carbon footprint too. If you are lucky enough to generate more electricity than you use, and you sell your excess back to the National Grid, then going solar can also earn you an extra income too. This is the dream for most people who make the switch to solar but before you make any firm plans, you need to know if your property and roof are suitable for solar panel installation.

Is Your Roof Right for Solar?

For solar panels to work effectively your roof position and location must be right. Before you make any plans you need to check this first. The best pitch for a roof is between 30-40 degrees and ideally it should be south facing. Solar power works from the sun’s light so you’ll also need unobstructed sunlight throughout the day to effectively generate solar power. If the location of your home sees heavy winds and snowfalls then this could affect the efficiency of solar panels too.

Heavy Burden?

Solar panels are extremely heavy and they take up a very large part of your roof. If your roof is not strong enough, or if it’s seen better days and is in need of repairs then it’s important that this is seen to first. If your roof needs expensive repairs or modifications then this could add considerably to your costs make your investment not quite so worthwhile.

Checking that your roof is suitable before you make a commitment to solar heating or electricity can not only save you time but it can save you money too.

Solar Hot Water: Why Now is a Good Time to Invest

The Renewable Heat Incentive for domestic properties is to launch in 2012, meaning that, for homeowners across the UK, there’s never been a better time to invest in solar water heating systems. The RHI is designed to encouraged the use of renewable energy in homes across the UK, in line with government plans to reduce the country’s carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050. Under the scheme, homeowners with solar energy systems can receive financial rewards for the energy they produce to heat and run their household appliances.

A solar water heating system works by using solar panels, usually attached to the roof of the property. The panels gather free heat from the sun, using it to heat water which then heats the entire property. When solar energy is not available (for example, more often during the winter months), the hot water can be topped up by a conventional boiler. These new systems provide a great way for households to save money on heating bills, while reducing the impact on the environment.

From April 2012, the tariffs for new installations of domestic solar energy systems are set to reduce, with further reductions planned for the coming years. This means that now is an excellent time to invest in renewable energy for your home, as installations before this date will still receive the higher tariffs for the full 25 years of the guarantee. Why not call a certified installation company and see what solar energy can do for your home?

Trust Bates with your Solar Heating Installation

Most people have probably had experience in dealing with various tradesmen in the past. When problems arise, most of the time it’s obvious who you should call. Need a new power socket installed? Call an electrician. Got a leak? Call a plumber. But who do you call if you want a solar heating system installed?

Well, me! At Bates we are installing more and more solar heating systems as the months pass. Why? Because we are BPEC certified professionals, meaning we have the skills, knowledge and qualifications to safely install solar heating and solar panels in domestic properties.

We know that you may have a few questions regarding solar heating, which is why as a company policy we offer everyone a free, no obligation survey where we will visit your property, advise whether it’s suitable and work out how much you could save – and earn via the Government’s incentive schemes - by having a solar heating system installed.

What’s more, if you already have a solar heating system in place we can service it for you and upgrade it if necessary. This is an area where technology is moving at a fast pace, but you can rest assured that at Bates, we’ll always be on top of the latest developments.

Only Vaillant trained, BPEC certified London plumbers should be trusted to take on your solar heating project. To find out how much you could save in the long run and whether solar heating is right for your property, call us to book your free, no obligation survey and relax - you’re in the best possible hands.

The Renewable Heat Incentive and Solar Panels

Without going into too much detail, the government has launched the Renewable Heat Incentive, which is a scheme designed to support businesses and homeowners by rewarding those who reduce their dependence on fossil fuel heating systems. Quite a mouthful isn’t it?

So in short, by switching over to renewable energy systems such as solar heating, you could be rewarded by the government. From October 2012 onwards homes may qualify for tariffs for each kWh (Kilowatt hour) of renewable heat they produce themselves. This is quite an incentive in my eyes, and a further indication that solar heating is the way forward for homes throughout the capital.

These tariff payments would be made quarterly over a 20 year period, so consider that if you’re still wondering whether solar panels would be worth the investment.

If you’re interested in finding out more about solar heating or the Renewable Heat Incentive give me a call. I’ll talk you through it all and give you specific examples of how much you could save on your energy bills or receive in tariffs if you qualify.

Do I Qualify for Solar Heating?

Do I qualify? This is one of the most common questions people ask me when it comes to solar heating and solar panels. And with good reason, as not all homes do qualify unfortunately. But if you’re unsure, leave it to me. After arranging a free no obligation survey with Bates, my team will inspect your property and see if your home is suitable for solar panels.

The first job is deciding whether your roof is suitable or not. A sloping roof will have to be free from shading and cover and face south, south east, south west, east or west. Ideally, a south facing roof is best. If your roof is north east, north west or north facing you will still get some power from the solar panels, but in all honesty you may not generate enough to support the financial outlay you’ll need to install it in the first place.

Don’t worry; we know everything there is to know about positioning and installing solar panels on sloping roofs and I’ll tell you straight whether it is worth you having them or not.

If you’re lucky enough to have a flat roof, solar panels would be a perfect addition, although I may need to gain planning permission on your behalf before I can start work. Just leave it to me – I know these regulations and red tape can get people confused but I’ll do all I can to make it as painless and trouble free as I possibly can.

To find out for sure if you qualify, book a free no obligation survey. With summer just around the corner you could soon be making significant savings on your energy bills – savings that will carry on all year round. Give me a call today and I’ll set up a meeting.

The Real Facts about Solar Heating

Ask most people about solar power and the only thing they’ll know is that it uses energy from the sun to provide an alternative source of heating and hot water in the home. It’s a good start and is certainly true, but there’s so much more that needs to be said about solar heating and the benefits it can bring.

According to Total Solar Energy, the average household uses the equivalent of 3000kW hours of power per year to heat water via a traditional system. Solar panels can collect up to 1300 kW hours per square metre per year so it’s easy to see how savings could be made.

In fact, if your solar power system produces more energy than you use, your utility company may even decide to buy the energy from you.

Another misconception is that solar panels only deliver energy when it’s sunny. The fact is, the latest vacuum panels can draw in energy even on the dullest of days, so even in the winter or on a cloudy day you will still benefit.

Solar panel heating is something I see growing in popularity day by day and I believe it’s a worthwhile investment. If you’d like to find out more about the benefits and installation costs give me a call and I’ll arrange to visit you to see if it’s a viable option for your property.

Solar Panels in the Winter? Surely not….

At this time of year, there are certain things you expect to see or read about. In fact, if you’re an avid reader of my blog, you will know that over the past few months I’ve been writing about topics such as keeping warm in the winter and preparations for Christmas. So why have I now switched to talking about solar heating panels? Surely they’re only effective in the summer?

Well, I can’t blame you for thinking this, but the fact is, solar heating panels are effective at heating your home in an environmentally friendly way all year round, not just in the summer. Solar panels are linked in with your existing heating system, so it won’t be the case that just because it’s cold outside, you will not get any hot water. You’ll still have all the advantages of a traditional central heating system, but with the added bonus of being able to generate your own power economically and ecologically.

Combining solar heating with your existing heating system can help reduce carbon dioxide emissions as well as your heating bills. In fact, if you’re looking for ways to make savings, an initial investment in solar panels will make you significant savings in the future.

If you’re interested in solar power and how it actually works, my Vaillant trained engineers can provide a free no obligation initial consultation. Take a look at solar heating panels in a little more detail now and avoid the summer rush.